BROOKLYN, Ny. -- Elite 2016 guard Markelle Fultz announced his commitment to Washington over Louisville and Arizona on Friday night during the dunk/3 point contests at the Elite 24 in Brooklyn, NY. He shocked the world earlier in the day by cutting Kentucky from his list. Kentucky was not only considered the favorite from the day they got involved, but had also had been quoted by Markelle as his “dream school”

No one was talking about Washington in this recruitment until early Friday morning, but perhaps they should have been. Lorenzo Romar adds a stud guard from the east coast as the first member of his 2016 class. Washington is on the rise again following a few down years. "My relationship with Lorenzo Romar is unbelievable. We talk about everything and he's making sure I get eligible for college and stay in the books," Fultz told ESPN's Paul Biancardi

Markelle’s rise to stardom has been often documented, going from JV player in 2013-14 to potential McDonald’s All American by the end of summer 2015. He was named first team in the Under Armour Association and was, as previously mentioned, was selected to the prestigious Elite 24 game.

He earned his status as a consensus top 25 recruit in the class (still rising, by the way) by being a tough, playmaking guard. After this AAU season, he is easily one of the smoothest players in the 2016 class nationally and has the ability to score in a variety of ways. His playmaking skills are developing fast and his body control is second to none. His long arms allow his to finish at the basket as well as being a pest on defense. Washington is getting a player who can play a variety of positions on the perimeter as well as the potential to be a high level defender. 

Markelle’s AAU coach for the DC Blue Devils had this to say earlier in the day: “Great kid off the court. Awesome teammate who Sometimes is too unselfish when he should dominate, but he's working on that. Class act kid! Wherever he goes to college, he will be great!”

Our staff at NextUp firmly believes that Markelle was one of the best players we saw this AAU season. He dominated any competition he was put against and established himself as elite. 

Photo: Kelly Kline / Under Armour